Sensor device, analyzing device, and recording medium for detecting the position at which an object touches another object

ABSTRACT

Provided is a sensor device including a sensor configured to output a vibration datum by detecting a change in a state of a vibration in a first object when a second object touches the first object, a holding section configured to hold, at a portion of the first object which is different from a portion where the second object touches, the sensor in a state where the vibration in the first object is transmitted, and a communication section configured to transmit the single vibration datum detected by the sensor to an analyzing device which identifies a touch position where the second object touches the first object by analyzing the vibration datum.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/344,160 filed Mar. 11, 2014, which is a National Stage ofPCT/JP2012/077316 filed Oct. 23, 2012, and claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2011-244345 filed Nov. 8, 2011. The entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a sensor device, an analyzing device,and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

Until now, there has been a lot of development in technology whichassists the motion of a user by using sensing and analysis. For example,in sports which strike a ball using a striking tool, such as tennis,badminton, table tennis, golf or baseball, detecting a frequency andposition at which a ball is hit by a striking tool, and presenting thisfrequency and position to a user as information, are such a technology.As an example of such a technology, Patent Literature 1, for example,describes technology which arranges sensors on and around a strikingsurface of a tennis racket, and notifies to a user the frequency andposition by detecting that the ball has hit the striking surface.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP S59-194761A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the technology described above in Patent Literature 1, a number ofsensors are arranged corresponding to each position on the strikingsurface of a tennis racket. In this way, it is possible to detect notonly the frequency the ball hits the striking surface, but also where onthe striking surface the ball has hit. However, it can take a great dealof time for such a number of sensors to be installed by the user on thestriking surface after purchase. While a striking tool with a sensoralready incorporated may be sold, the price of the striking tool willrise, which would make it difficult for the user to make a replacementpurchase of the striking tool. Further, while a method is considered,which photographs the instant a ball collides using a high speed cameracapable of photographing at a frame rate of several thousand frames persecond and confirms the position the ball has hit from an image, since ahigh speed camera is expensive and the operation is complex, it will bedifficult for the user to easily use it.

Further, the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 can be said tobe technology that detects the position at which an object (tennisracket) is touched with another object (ball). A touch panel, forexample, is well known as such technology in the other fields. A touchpanel is also similar to the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1in that the position at which an object (screen) is touched with anotherobject (finger) is detected using output from sensors that are arrangedto cover the area of a detection target. In such a technology, as thearea of the detection target is larger, as many sensors as possible needto be arranged, which makes the configuration of a device more complex.

Here, the present disclosure proposes a new and improved sensor device,analyzing device, and recording medium that can detect the position atwhich an object touches another object with a simpler configuration.

Solution to Problem

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda sensor device including a sensor configured to output a vibrationdatum by detecting a change in a state of a vibration in a first objectwhen a second object touches the first object, a holding sectionconfigured to hold, at a portion of the first object which is differentfrom a portion where the second object touches, the sensor in a statewhere the vibration in the first object is transmitted, and acommunication section configured to transmit the single vibration datumdetected by the sensor to an analyzing device which identifies a touchposition where the second object touches the first object by analyzingthe vibration datum.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan analyzing device including a communication section configured toreceive a single vibration datum obtained by detection of a change in astate of a vibration in a first object when a second object touches thefirst object, the detection being performed by a sensor held at aportion of the first object which is different from a portion where thesecond object touches, in a state where the vibration in the firstobject is transmitted; and an identification section configured toidentify a touch position where the second object touches the firstobject by comparing a vibration characteristic of the vibration datumand a vibration characteristic for each position of the first objectwhere the second object touches.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the programcausing a computer to execute a function of receiving a single vibrationdatum obtained by detection of a change in a state of a vibration in afirst object when a second object touches the first object, thedetection being performed by a sensor held at a portion of the firstobject which is different from a portion where the second objecttouches, in a state where the vibration in the first object istransmitted; and a function of identifying a touch position where thesecond object touches the first object by comparing a vibrationcharacteristic of the vibration datum and a vibration characteristic foreach position of the first object where the second object touches.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the position ofthe first object where the second object touches can be identified byanalysis of the single vibration datum acquired by the sensor held atthe portion different from the portion where the second object touchesthe first object. The configuration of the device installed in the firstobject is simpler, since the sensor is not necessarily included at thetouch position.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the above embodiments of the present disclosure, asdescribed above, it is possible to detect the position at which anobject touches another object with a simpler configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a figure showing an entire configuration of a first embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functionalconfiguration of a sensor position according to a first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a figure in which a sensor device mounted on a racket isviewed from a front according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B is a figure in which a sensor device mounted on a racket isviewed from a side according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a figure showing an example of a method which mounts a sensordevice on a racket in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a figure showing another example of a method which mounts asensor device on a racket in a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functionalconfiguration of an analyzing device according to a first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a figure showing an example of a position group on a racketset beforehand in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a figure showing an example of a vibration characteristic ateach position on a racket in a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a figure for describing an estimation of a collision positionin a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a figure for further describing an estimation of a collisionposition in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a first example of a collision positionidentification process in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a second example of a collision positionidentification process in a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a figure showing a first example of a results display in afirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a figure showing a second example of a results display in afirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a figure showing an entire configuration of a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a figure showing an example of a configuration of a sensordevice according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a figure schematically showing a process in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a first example in a process in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a second example in a process in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a figure showing a first modification example in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a figure showing a second modification example in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a figure showing a third modification example in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a figure showing a fourth modification example in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a figure showing a fifth modification example in a secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram for describing a hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that,in this specification and the drawings, structural elements that havesubstantially the same function and structure are denoted with the samereference numerals, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

Note that the description will be made in the following order.

-   -   1. First Embodiment        -   1-1. Entire configuration        -   1-2. Configuration of the sensor device        -   1-3. Configuration of the analyzing device        -   1-4. Theory of collision position identification        -   1-5. Process example of collision position identification        -   1-6. Display example of the results    -   2. Second Embodiment        -   2-1. Entire configuration        -   2-2. Configuration of the sensor device    -   2-3. Process example        -   2-4. Modification example    -   3. Third Embodiment    -   4. Fourth Embodiment    -   5. Supplement        (1. First Embodiment)

First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. In this embodiment, sensor devices aremounted on a striking tool used in sports, and an analyzing deviceidentifies the position at which a ball (second object) collides with(touches) the striking tool (first object).

(1-1. Entire Configuration)

First, an entire configuration of the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is afigure showing the entire configuration of the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 10, which includes a sensor device 100mounted on a racket 12 and an analyzing device 200 which communicateswith the sensor device 100, is provided in the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Here, the racket 12 is a striking tool for striking a ball 14 in tennis.In the first embodiment hereinafter, while the racket 12 is described asan example of a striking tool (first object), the examples of a strikingtool are not limited to this. As described later, in this embodiment, aposition on a striking tool which a ball (second object) collides withis identified based on vibrations when the ball collides with thestriking tool. Therefore, this embodiment can be applied to a strikingtool in which vibrations are generated by the collision of a ball usedin a sport, for example, a striking tool used for all types of sports,such as a badminton racket, a table tennis racket, a golf club, or abaseball bat. The hit object (second object) that collides with thestriking tool (first object) is not limited to a ball either, and may bea badminton shuttlecock, for example.

The sensor device 100 is mounted on the racket 12, and transmits adetection result to the analyzing device 200 as vibration data, bydetecting vibrations when the ball 14 collides with the racket 12. Theanalyzing device 200 analyzes the vibration data transmitted from thesensor device 100, and identifies the position on the racket 12 whichthe ball 14 collides with. Note that for simplicity, the position on theracket 12 which the ball 14 collides with will hereinafter be simplycalled the collision position. Information related to the result ofidentification by the analyzing device 200 may be output to a user fromthe analyzing device 200, for example, or may be transmitted to thesensor device 100 from the analyzing device 200, and then output to theuser from the sensor device 100.

According to the above-described system 10, a user who plays tennisusing the racket 12 is able to understand which part of the racket 12the ball 14 has collided with, in another word, at which part of theracket 12 the user has struck the ball 14. Here, the part of the racket12 assumed to be most effective at striking the ball 14 is called thesweet spot. For example, the tennis proficiency level of the user can beestimated according to the ratio with which the ball 14 strikes thevicinity of this sweet spot. Further, vibrations and impacts transmittedto the hand of the user by striking the ball 14 with the racket 12 willchange according to which part of the racket 12 the ball 14 strikes, andwill be smallest in the case where the ball 14 strikes the vicinity ofthe sweet spot. Therefore, the physical load of the user from playingtennis can be estimated by the distribution of the positions where theball 14 strikes.

Note that it is possible to add additional sensors and informationacquisition means to the system 10 and to combine information obtainedfrom these additional sensors and information acquisition means with theabove information so as to provide varied and useful information to theuser.

Hereinafter, configurations of the above sensor device 100 and the aboveanalyzing device 200 will each be described in detail, and in addition,an example of the theory and a process of identifying a position wherethe ball 14 collides with (touches) the racket 12, and an exampledisplay of the results in the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure, will be described. Note that in this specification, “thesecond object collides with the first object” means “the second objecttouches the first object in a state where vibrations are generated inthe first object (where the quantity of motion is large, the touchingtime is short, or the like). That is, to “collide” means one of modes of“touch” in this specification.

(1-2. Configuration of the Sensor Device)

Next, a configuration of a sensor device according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of afunctional configuration of a sensor device according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A is a figure in which asensor device mounted on a racket is viewed from the front according tothe first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a figure inwhich a sensor device mounted on a racket is viewed from the sideaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is afigure showing an example of a method which mounts a sensor device on aracket in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is afigure showing another example of a method which mounts a sensor deviceon a racket in the first embodiments of the present disclosure.

(Functional Configuration)

Referring to FIG. 2, the sensor device 100 includes a sensor 110, anamplifier 122, a communication section 124, a control section 126,memory 128, and an output section 130. The amplifier 122, thecommunication section 124, the control section 126, and the memory 128are collectively called a circuit section 120.

The sensor 110 is a sensor which outputs vibration data by detectingvibrations when the ball 14 collides with the racket 12. The sensor 110is implemented by a piezoelectric element, a strain gauge, anacceleration sensor, or the like. For example, when a film typepiezoelectric element is used from among these, a detected frequencyband and a dynamic range will both expand, waterproofing andimpact-proofing will excel, and there will be an advantage of being ableto stably detect vibrations by enduring the use of the racket 12.

The amplifier 122 is included in the case where vibration data detectedby the sensor 110 is amplified. For example, in the case where thesensor 110 is such a film type piezoelectric element, since the currentoutput from the piezoelectric element is small, it is possible toamplify only a change in electrostatic capacity of the piezoelectricelement by vibrations, by using a charge amplifier as the amplifier 122.In addition to this, an appropriate amplifying circuit may be used inthe amplifier 122, according to the type of the sensor 110.

The communication section 124 is a communication interface whichtransmits vibration data, output from the sensor 110 and amplified asnecessary by the amplifier 122, to the analyzing device 200. Forexample, wireless communications are used for sending and receiving thevibration data. The communication system is not particularly limited,and in the case where the analyzing device 200, for example, is in thevicinity of the sensor device 100, it is possible to use near fieldcommunications such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or a wirelessLAN (Local Area Network). Further, the communication section 124 mayreceive information related to a collision position from the analyzingdevice 200, as an analytical result of the transmitted vibration data.

The control section 126 is implemented by a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) operated by a program stored in the memory 128, for example, andcontrols each section of the sensor device 100. In the first embodimentof the present disclosure, the control section 126 controls thecommunication section 124, so that the vibration data are selectivelytransmitted to the analyzing device 200 at the time of the collision ofthe ball 14. More specifically, the control section 126 may acquire theamplitude of the vibrations shown by the vibration data input from theamplifier 122 to the communication section 124, and perform control suchthat the communication section 124 transmits the vibration data to theanalyzing device 200 in the case where this amplitude is at or above aprescribed threshold. In the case where some data are transmitted to theanalyzing device, there are cases where it is not desirable to increasepower consumption by continuing communications. Accordingly, as shownabove, while the ball 14 is not colliding with the racket 12, thetransmission of the vibration data by the communications section 124 isstopped, and the electric power necessary for communication can beeconomized. Needless to say, the configuration of the sensor device 100may be simplified, without such a control of the communications section124, by the control section 126.

Further, the control section 126 may provide information related to thecollision position, which the communication section 124 has receivedfrom the analyzing device 200, to the output section 130 (describedlater) as information presented to the user of the racket 12.

The memory 128 is provided by RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (ReadOnly Memory) included in the circuit section 120, and temporarily orpermanently stores the various data used for the operations of thesensor device 100. The memory 128 stores a program for operation by aCPU which executes functions of the control section 126, for example.Further, the memory 128 may temporarily store, as a buffer, thevibration data output by the sensor 110 and information related to thecollision position, which the communication section 124 receives.

The circuit section 120 which includes the amplifier 122, thecommunication section 124, the control section 126, and the memory 128is mounted on the racket 12 as a part of the sensor device 100. It isdesirable for the racket 12 to have a waterproofing process performed onthe circuit section 120 in the case of being used outdoors, or in thecase where it is possible for moisture to adhere, such as sweat.Further, it is desirable for a vibration isolation process to beperformed on the circuit section 120, since vibrations are generated inthe racket 12 when striking the ball 14 and when the user moves. Forexample, a resin coating may be applied to the circuit section 120 assuch a waterproofing process and a vibration isolation process.

The output section 130 presents the information related to the collisionposition, which the communication section 124 has received from theanalyzing device 200, to the user of the racket 12. The presentation ofsuch information may be visual, for example, or may use voice orvibration. The output section 130 is implemented as a suitable outputdevice, according to the method of presentation of the information, suchas an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or display which visually presentsinformation, a speaker or buzzer which presents information by voice, oran actuator which presents information by vibration.

The actuator, within the example of the above output section 130, may beimplemented by energizing the piezoelectric element used as the sensor110, for example. It is possible for the piezoelectric element to beused as an actuator by energizing. Further, a speaker may amplify andreproduce the vibration data as a voice as it is. Needless to say, inthe case where the communication section 124 does not receiveinformation related to the collision position, the output section 130may not be included.

(Mounting on the Racket)

Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the sensor device 100 is mounted on apart from a shaft part 12 s to a grip part 12 g of the racket 12, in thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in thefigures, the sensor 110 and the circuit section 120 are mounted on theshaft part 12 s and the grip part 12 g, respectively. Note that whilethe output section 130 is not shown in the figures, as it is anadditional structural element, it may be mounted on a part identical tothat of the circuit section 120, for example.

The sensor 110 is mounted on a surface of the shaft part 12 s such asshown in the figures. The shaft part 12 s is a part different from apart where the ball 14 originally collides at the racket 12, that is,the so-called face. The influence of the sensor 110 on the operation, inwhich the user strikes the ball 14 at the racket 12, decreases bymounting the sensor 110 on this part. More specifically, in the casewhere the sensor 110 is mounted on a face part far from the center ofgravity of the racket 12, there will be an influence on the operation,in which the user strikes the ball 14, by changing the center of gravityof the racket 12, and in the case where the sensor 110 is mounted on theshaft part 12 s near the center of gravity of the racket 12, such aninfluence will be small. Further, since the shaft part 12 s is separatedfrom the grip part 12 g, where the user grips the racket 12, the sensor110 mounted on the shaft part 12 s may not obstruct when the user gripsthe racket 12. In addition, breaking the sensor 110 by an impact, forexample, can be prevented by mounting the sensor 110 on the shaft part12 s, where the possibility of a direct collision by the ball 14 is low.

Here, the racket 12 has a front and a rear surface, and the sensor 110is mounted on either the front or the rear surface of the racket 12 atthe shaft part 12 s. Further, the racket 12 has an approximatelylaterally symmetrical shape, and the sensor 110 is mounted on either aleft or a right side of the racket 12, at the shaft part 12 s. In thisway, it becomes possible to identify the front/rear surface or theleft/right side of the collision position using the vibration data, suchas described later, by mounting the sensor 110 at a non-symmetricalposition for the front/rear surface or the left/right side of the racket12.

The circuit section 120 is mounted inside the grip part 12 g, such asshown in the figures. Generally, the grip part 12 g of the racket 12 hasa cavity inside. The sensor device 100 can be mounted without generatinga projecting section or the like on the surface of the racket 12, forexample, by mounting the circuit section 120 in this cavity section.Further, since the grip part 12 g is a part that is gripped by the userwhen the user is striking the ball 14, the vibrations when striking theball 14 will be weaker compared to other parts of the racket 12, and thecircuit components included in the circuit section 120, for example, canbe protected from impact.

Note that the mounting method of the sensor device 100 on the racket 12represented by FIGS. 3A and 3B is one example, and other variousmounting methods are also possible. In the above example, the sensor 110and the circuit section 120 are mounted on separate parts of the racket12, and are connected by wiring included on the surface of the racket 12or inside thereof. However, for example, the sensor 110 and the circuitsection 120 may be both mounted on the same part of the racket 12.Specifically, the sensor 110 and the circuit section 120 may be bothmounted on the shaft part 12 s. Further, the sensor 110 and the circuitsection 120 may be both mounted on the grip part 12 g.

An example of a mounting member in the case where the sensor device 100is mounted on the shaft part 12 s of the racket 12 is shown in FIG. 4.The mounting member in this case is a belt 142. The belt 142 is a rubberbelt locked by a hook-and-loop fastener, for example, and can be wrappedaround the shaft part 12 s. As above, mounting on the shaft part 12 smay be performed for only the sensor 110 from within the sensor device100, or may be performed for the entire sensor device 100 including thesensor 110 and the circuit section 120. By using the belt 142, thesensor device 100 can be mounted on the shaft part 12 s without aprocess such as a perforation for joining elements on the racket 12 orwithout applying an adhesive material on the surface of the racket 12.Therefore, detaching the sensor device 100 from the racket 12 is easy,and replacing the sensor device 100 onto a new racket 12, which the userhas bought as a replacement for the racket 12, is easy.

An example of a mounting member in the case where the sensor device 100is mounted on the grip part 12 g of the racket 12 is shown in FIG. 5.The mounting member in this case is a casing 144. The casing 144 isformed by resin, for example, has a shape corresponding to the cavityinside the grip part 12 g, and is fitted to the inside of the grip part12 g. As above, mounting on the grip section 12 g may be performed foronly the circuit section 120 from within the sensor device 100, or maybe performed for the entire sensor device 100 including the sensor 110and the circuit section 120. By using the casing 144, the sensor device100 can be mounted on the grip part 12 g without a process such as aperforation for joining elements on the racket 12 or without applying anadhesive material on the surface of the racket 12. Further, if the shapeof the cavity inside the grip part 12 g is the same as that of anotherracket 12, the replacing of the sensor device 100 onto a new racket 12,which the user has bought as a replacement for the racket 12, is easy.

(1-3. Configuration of the Analyzing Device)

Next, a configuration of an analyzing device according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functionalconfiguration of an analyzing device according to the first embodimentof the present disclosure.

(Functional Configuration)

Referring to FIG. 6, the analyzing device 200 includes a communicationsection 202, an analyzing section 204, an identification section 206, adatabase 208, memory 210, and an output section 212.

The analyzing device 200 is a portable information processing apparatus,such as a smart phone, a tablet type PC (Personal Computer), a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), a portable game machine, or a portablemusic player. In this case, the result of the analysis is able to beunderstood in real time, by the user of the racket 12 carrying theanalyzing device 200. Needless to say, the analyzing device 200 may beanother information processing apparatus, such as a note type or desktoptype PC, and may receive vibration data from the sensor device 100according to communications through a communication line.

The communication section 202 is a communication interface whichreceives vibration data from the sensor device 100. As described for thesensor device 100, near field communications, such as Bluetooth(registered trademark) or a wireless LAN, can be used for sending andreceiving the vibration data. For example, in the case where the sensordevice 100 continuously transmits the vibration data, the receivedvibration data are temporarily stored in the memory 210 for theprocesses of the analyzing section 204, described later. Further, thecommunication section 202 may transmit information related to thecollision position identified by the identification section 206 to thesensor device 100.

The analyzing section 204 is implemented by a CPU operated by a programstored in the memory 210, for example, and analyzes vibration data whichthe communication section 202 has received. For example, the analyzingsection 204 extracts the vibration data of an impact sectioncorresponding to the vibrations when the ball 14 collides with theracket 12, from the vibration data which the communication section 202continuously receives. For the process of this extraction, thecommunication section 202 temporarily stores the received vibration datain the memory 210, and the analyzing section 204 may extract thevibration data of a necessary section from the memory 210. Note that inthe case where the way the vibration data are selectively transmitted atthe time of the collision of the ball 14 is controlled by the controlsection 126 of the sensor device 100 as above, the analyzing section 204may not implement the extraction of the impact section, since the impactsection has already been extracted.

Further, the analyzing section 204 analyzes the frequency of vibrationsfor the impact section of the vibration data. The analyzing section 204implements a FFT (Fast Fourier Transform), for example, and acquires afrequency spectrum of the vibrations represented by the vibration data.

The identification section 206 is implemented by a CPU operated by aprogram stored in the memory 210, for example, and identifies thecollision position on the racket 12 which the ball 14 collides with, bycomparing the vibration characteristics at each position the ball 14collides with the racket 12, with the vibration characteristics of thevibration data which the analyzing section 204 has extracted. In thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibrationcharacteristics at each position from within a position group on theracket 12 defined beforehand is stored in the database 208. Theidentification section 206 refers to the vibration characteristics ateach of these positions by accessing the database 208, and specifies theposition having vibration characteristics best corresponding to thevibration characteristics of the vibration data as the collisionposition. Note that the theory and the details of the processimplemented here will be described later.

Here, information related to the collision position identified by theidentification section 206 may be provided to the output section 212, ormay be transmitted to the sensor device 100 through the communicationsection 202. Further, the information related to the collision positionmay be transmitted to another device through the communication section202. The other device can be any of a variety of PCs and server devicesthat provide users with services through a network, for example.

The database 208 is implemented by RAM, ROM, a storage device, or aremovable recording medium included in the analyzing device 200, andstores the vibration characteristics at each position from within aposition group on the racket 12 defined beforehand. As described later,these vibration characteristics may be a frequency spectrum, and arestored as a frequency spectrum of an output signal to a prescribed inputsignal, or as a transfer function to a given input signal, for example.

The memory 210 is implemented by RAM, ROM, a storage device, or aremovable recording medium included in the analyzing device 200, andtemporarily or permanently stores various data used in the operations ofthe analyzing device 200. The memory 201 stores a program for a CPU tooperate, which executes the analyzing section 204 and the identificationsection 206, for example. Further, the memory 210 may temporarily store,as a buffer, vibration data received by the communication section 202,and information related to the collision position output by theidentification section 206.

The output section 212 presents the information related to the collisionposition output by the identification section 206 to a user. Thepresentation of this information may be visual, for example, or may usevoice or vibration. The output section 212 is implemented as a suitableoutput device, according to the method of presentation of theinformation, such as an LED or a display which visually presentsinformation, a speaker or buzzer which presents information by voice, oran actuator which presents information by vibration.

(1-4. Theory of Collision Position Identification)

Next, a theory of collision position identification in the firstembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 to 10. FIG. 7 is a figure showing an example of a position groupon a racket set beforehand in the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 8 is a figure showing an example of a vibrationcharacteristic at each position on a racket in the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a figure for describing an estimationof a collision position in the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 10 is a figure for further describing an estimation ofa collision position in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

(Definition of a Collision Position Candidate)

FIG. 7 shows an example of a position group on the racket 12 setbeforehand, for identification of the collision position. In this way,in the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the position isdefined at prescribed intervals on the racket 12, and the position groupincluding such positions is treated as a candidate of the collisionposition. Note that in the example shown in the figure, while thepositions (numbered 1-25) on the shaft part 12 s, the grip part 12 g,and parts of the frame are defined, these may not be necessary, and onlythe positions (numbered 26-51) of the face part may be defined.

FIG. 8 shows an example of vibration characteristics at each positionfrom within the position group set as above. Here, the vibrationcharacteristics are a transfer function (FRF: Frequency ResponseFunction) up until the position of the sensor 110, in the case whereprescribed vibrations are input to each position as an input signal. Thetransfer function, in the case where an identical impulse input is givento each of the three positions (number 41, number 39, number 44) fromwithin the above position group, is shown in the figure. In this way,even in the case where an identical input is given, the transferfunction will be different according to the position on the racket 12.Therefore, conversely speaking, if the transfer function when thecollision of the ball 14 is transmitted as vibrations is known, it ispossible to estimate the position on the racket 12 which the ball 14collides with.

Such an analyzing technique of vibrations is known as modal analysis.Modal analysis is the analysis of vibration characteristics inherent ineach object, for example, an eigenmode or a natural frequency, a modaldampening ratio, and the like. Specifically, the natural frequency isobserved as a pole (peak) of the transmission function, and signifiesthat the more the sharpness of this peak increases, the more the modaldampening ratio decreases. Generally, the vibrations of the object areexpressed as the vibrations at a plurality of natural frequencies thatare overlapping. It is desirable in the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure to focus on such vibration characteristics inherent in theracket 12, and to estimate an excitation point, namely, a collisionposition of the ball 14, from vibrations of the racket 12 by applyingthe technique of modal analysis.

The waveform of the vibration, in the case where the racket 12 vibratesin a certain vibration mode, is shown in FIG. 9. According to thefindings of modal analysis, there are vibration modes respectivelycorresponding to a plurality of natural frequencies (called 1st, 2nd,3rd . . . in an order from lowest to highest frequency) in the object,and the vibration of the object is described as an overlapping of thevibrations at each vibration mode. The waveform in the case of vibratingis determined according to each vibration mode. The example shown in thefigure is a waveform in a longitudinal surface direction in the casewhere the racket 12 is vibrating in a 3rd vibration mode (for example,170 Hz). In this case, a standing wave having two nodes N0, N1 isgenerated in the waveform. Node N0 is the grip part, and node N1 is theso-called sweet spot.

Here, the part called the sweet spot of the racket will be described.The sweet spot generally indicates either (i) a COP (Center ofPercussion), (ii) a Vibration Node, or (iii) a Power Point. (i) The COPis a position at which the impact transmitted to the hand holding theracket is minimized when the racket strikes the ball, in a word, acenter of percussion, and is a part called the core in the case of abaseball bat. The position of the COP changes according to the speed atwhich the racket is swung. (ii) The Vibration Node is a position atwhich the vibration of the racket is minimized when the racket strikesthe ball. As above, since the racket has inherent vibrationcharacteristics, the position of the Vibration Node does not changeaccording to the speed at which the racket is swung, or the way the ballis hit. (iii) The Power Point is a position at which the powertransmitted to the ball is maximized. The Power Point is the point atwhich the ball leaps most, and the position changes according to thespeed at which the racket is swung. From among these, (ii) the VibrationNode is treated as the sweet spot in the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

In the case where a sweet spot is defined as described above, theposition of the node N1 corresponding to the sweet spot can be easilyunderstood in the waveform shown in FIG. 9. In a word, in the case wherethe ball 14 collides with the position of the node N1, a vibration in a3rd vibration mode (for example, 170 Hz) is not excited since thisposition is a node related to the 3rd vibration mode. In contrast, inthe case where the ball 14 collides with a position separated from thenode N1, a vibration in a 3rd vibration mode is excited in the racket12.

In the example shown in the figure, in the case where the ball 14collides with a position separated from the node N1, since the sensor110 is located in a position close to the anti-node of the 3rd vibrationmode, a large number of vibrational components by the excited 3rdvibration mode are detected. Conversely speaking, in the case where thelarge number of the vibrational components by the 3rd vibration mode aredetected by the sensor 110, the ball 14 is estimated to have a highpossibility of having collided with a position separated from the nodeN1.

A phase difference of the vibrations of the racket 12, generatedaccording to the difference of the collision positions of the ball 14,is shown in FIG. 10. Similar to that of FIG. 9, the waveform in alongitudinal surface direction, in the case where the racket 12 isvibrating in a 3rd vibration mode, is shown in the figure. In theexample of (a), the ball 14 collides with a position separated from thenode N1 on the grip side, and in the example of (b), the ball 14collides with a position separated from the node N1 on the opposite sideto that of the grip.

Here, as described with reference to FIG. 9, in both of the examples (a)and (b), a vibration in the 3rd vibration mode is excited in the racket12, since the ball 14 collides with a position separated from the nodeN1. However, the vibrations detected at the position of the sensor 110have a phase opposite to those of the examples of (a) and (b). In thecase of (a), the position of the sensor 110 becomes a mountain of awaveform immediately after the collision, since the collision positionof the ball 14 is on the opposite side to the sensor 110 with the nodeN1 in between. On the other hand, in the case of (b), the position ofthe sensor 110 becomes a valley of a waveform immediately after thecollision, since the collision position of the ball 14 is on the sameside as the sensor 110 from the viewpoint of the node N1.

Note that the phase of the vibration, in the case where the ball 14collides with a certain position on the rear surface of the racket 12,will become a phase opposite to the phase of the vibration in the casewhere the ball 14 collides with the same position on the front surface.Therefore, it is possible to identify whether the ball 14 collides withthe front surface or the rear surface of the racket 12, by identifying asimilar waveform to which the phase is reversed.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the amplitude andphase of the vibration in each vibration mode generated in the racket 12will differ, according to the collision position of the ball 14. Thecharacteristics of the vibrations detected by the sensor 110 accordingto the collision position of the ball 14 will change as a result of thevibration in each vibration mode overlapping, such as shown in FIG. 8.Therefore, the collision position of the ball 14 can be detected byanalyzing the characteristics of the vibrations detected by the sensor110.

Note that in the case where the sensor 110 is included on the axis ofsymmetry of the racket 12, which has an approximately laterallysymmetrical shape, the characteristics of the vibrations detected by thesensor 110, in the case where the ball 14 collides with two symmetricalpositions for the axis of symmetry, will be substantially identical.Further, in the case where the sensor 110 is included on a side surface,for example, between the front and rear surfaces of the racket 12, thecharacteristics of the vibrations detected by the sensor 110, in thecase where the ball 14 collides with a position identical for each ofthe front and the rear surfaces, will be substantially identical (in thecase where the sensor 110 detects vibrations in a directionperpendicular to the mounted surface. In the case where the sensor 110detects vibrations in a direction parallel to the mounted surface, thereis no limitation to the above case). Therefore, as stated above, it isdesirable to mount the sensor 110 at a position non-symmetrical withregards to the front and rear surface and the left and right sides ofthe racket 12, so as to identify the front and rear surface or the leftand right sides of the racket 12 in the estimation of the collisionposition.

(1-5. Process Example of Collision Position Identification)

Next, two examples of the process of collision position identificationin the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described withreference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a firstexample of a collision position identification process in the firstembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing asecond example of a collision position identification process in thefirst embodiment of the present disclosure.

(First Process Example)

Referring to FIG. 11 in the first process example, first in step S101,the sensor 110 of the sensor device 100 detects vibrations of the racket12. The detected vibrations are transmitted from the communicationsection 124 to the analyzing device 200 as vibration data.

Next in step S103, the analyzing section 204 of the analyzing device 200determines whether or not the amplitude of the vibrations shown by thevibration data received by the communication section 202 is at or abovea threshold. Here, for example, the vibrations of the racket 12 aredetermined to be either the displacement of the racket 12 itself or thecollision of the ball 14.

In the case where the amplitude of the vibrations is determined to be ator above the threshold in the above step S103, in step S105, theanalyzing section 204 extracts the vibration data of an impact section.The impact section is a section of the vibration data which shows thevibrations of the racket 12 at a prescribed time after the ball 14collides with the racket 12. In contrast, in the case where theamplitude of the vibrations is determined not to be at or above thethreshold in the above step S103, the analyzing section 204 does notproceed with further analysis, and the process returns to step S101.

Note that in the case where the control section 126 of the sensor devicecontrols the communication section 124 so that the vibration data areselectively transmitted to the analyzing device 200 at the time of thecollision with the ball 14, the processes of the above steps S103 andS105 may be substituted with the processes of the communication section124 and the control section 126. In this case, the communication section202 of the analyzing device 200, for example, may receive vibration dataof the extracted impact section, and the analyzing section 204 mayanalyze the vibration data as it is.

Next in step S107, the analyzing section 204 calculates the vibrationdata, that is, a frequency spectrum Y^(C)(jω) of the output signal fromthe sensor 110, by implementing a frequency analysis of the vibrationdata.

Next in step S109, the identification section 206 calculates a frequencyspectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the input signal from the frequency spectrumY^(C)(jω) of the vibration data, by using a transfer function (FRF)H_(m)(jω) stored in the database 208, for each of the positions P_(m)(m=1, 2, 3, . . . ) on the racket 12. Note that here, the frequencyspectrums X_(m) ^(C)(jω) and Y^(C)(jω) and the transfer functionH_(m)(jω) are expressed by complex numbers, and are signals whichsimultaneously include amplitude information and phase information ofthe frequency. Further, j represents an imaginary unit, and ω representsan angular velocity.

Next in step S111, the identification section 206 calculates thedifference between the frequency spectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the inputsignal calculated from the vibration data and the frequency spectrumX(jω) of an input signal stored in the database 208, for each of thepositions P_(m) on the racket 12. This difference is calculated as avector distance, for example. An inner product calculation or aEuclidean distance calculation, for example, can be used in thecalculation of the vector distance.

Next in step S113, the identification section 206 identifies a positionP_(m) on the racket 12, at which the difference between the frequencyspectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the input signal calculated from thevibration data and the frequency spectrum X(jω) of the input signal isminimized, as the collision position of the ball 14.

An algorithm for collision position identification used by the firstprocess example described above will be further described.

The input signal to this position, when the ball 14 collides with theposition P_(m) on the racket 12, is assumed to be vibrations of thefrequency spectrum X(jω). These vibrations are transmitted within theracket 12 and are detected as an output signal of the vibrations of thefrequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) at the position of the sensor 110. Here,when the transfer function (FDR) from the position P_(m) up until theposition of the sensor 110 is assumed to be H_(m)(jω), the followingrelation is realized:Y _(m)(jω)=H _(m)(jω)·X(jω)  (Equation 1)

Based on the above findings in the first process example, the vibrations(frequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) at the position of the sensor 110 aremeasured beforehand, in the case where the ball 14 collides with each ofthe positions P_(m) on the racket 12 (an input signal of the frequencyspectrum X(jω) is given), and a transfer function H_(m)(jω) iscalculated beforehand for each of the positions P_(m). The transferfunction H_(m)(jω) is stored in the database 208 along with a labelshowing the position P_(m), for example.

Here, from the inverse of the above Equation 1, the following relationis realized:X(jω)=Y _(m)(jω)·H _(m) ⁻¹(jω)  (Equation 2)

Here, H_(m) ⁻¹(jω) represents an inverse matrix of the transfer functionH_(m)(jω). In the above step S109, by using Equation 2, theidentification section 206 calculates the estimated frequency spectrumX_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the input signal from the frequency spectrum Y^(C)(jω)of the vibration data, for each of the positions P_(m). Specifically,the identification section 206 calculates the estimated frequencyspectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the input signal according to the followingequation:X _(m) ^(C)(jω)=Y ^(C)(jω)·H _(m) ⁻¹(jω)  (Equation 3)

In reality, the input signal of the frequency spectrum X(jω) is given atany one of the positions P_(m), by the ball 14 colliding. Therefore, thecase where the estimated frequency spectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the inputsignal calculated according to the above Equation 3 becomes a shapeclose to the actual frequency spectrum X(jω) is limited to the casewhere the inverse matrix H_(m) ⁻¹(jω) of the transfer function for thepositions P_(m) which the ball actually collides with is used. In casesother than this, since the inverse matrix H_(m) ⁻¹(jω) of a transferfunction different from the transmission of the actual vibrations isused, the frequency spectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the estimated inputsignal calculated according to Equation 3 will become a shape differentfrom that of the frequency spectrum X(jω), for example, an insignificantnoise waveform. Note that here, the frequency spectrum X(jω) is assumedto be measured beforehand by the above mentioned modal analysis. Thisfrequency spectrum X(jω) has a temporal waveform close to that of ashock wave (impulse signal), since it is a collision signal of a ball.In the case where the ball actually collides with the racket 12, thiscollision waveform will appear only at the position P_(m) which the ballcollides with. Further, in this example, the likelihood (degree ofsimilarity) is assumed to be obtained according the calculation of theabove mentioned vector distance, by a comparison between the frequencyspectrum X_(m) ^(C)(jω) of the estimated input signal and the frequencyspectrum X(jω).

Note that in the above description, while a common frequency spectrumX(jω) is used for all positions P_(m) as a frequency spectrum of theinput signal, a frequency spectrum X_(m)(jω) different for each positionP_(m) may be used.

In this way in the first process example, “the position where theplausible estimated input signal is obtained in the case where the inputsignal is estimated from the output signal using the transfer functionof this position” is identified as the collision position of the ball 14on the racket 12.

(Second Process Example)

Referring to FIG. 12, steps S101 to S107 in the second process exampleare processes similar to those of the above first process example.

Following on from steps S101 to S107, in step S209, the identificationsection 206 of the analyzing device 200 calculates the differencebetween the frequency spectrum Y^(C)(jω) of the vibration data and thefrequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) of a model output signal stored in thedatabase 208, for each of the positions P_(m) on the racket 12. Thisdifference is calculated as a vector distance, for example. An innerproduct calculation or a Euclidean distance calculation, for example,can be used in the calculation of the vector distance.

Next in step S211, the identification section 206 identifies theposition P_(m) on the racket 12, at which the difference between thefrequency spectrum Y^(C)(jω) of the vibration data and the frequencyspectrum Y_(m)(jω) of the model output signal is minimized, as thecollision position of the ball 14.

An algorithm for collision position identification used by the secondprocess example described above will be further described.

As described in the above first process example, the relation ofEquation 1 is realized between the frequency spectrum X(jω) of the inputsignal added to the position P_(m), the frequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) ofthe output signal of the sensor 110, and the transfer function (FRF)H_(m)(jω) from the position P_(m) up until the position of the sensor110. Here, it is possible to identify the collision position of the ballby identifying the transfer function H_(m)(jω) from the frequencyspectrum Y^(C)(jω) of the vibration data. Hereinafter, this method willbe described.

The input signal in the case where the ball 14 collides with the racket12 has characteristics close to those of an impulse signal, since thecollision of the ball 14 is momentary. In the case where the frequencyspectrum X(jω) of the input signal is assumed to be close to that of thefrequency spectrum of an impulse signal, it is possible for thefrequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) of the output signal to havecharacteristics close to those of the transfer function H_(m)(jω), andto be approximated by the transfer function H_(m)(jω) as much aspossible.

Based on the above findings in the second process example, the vibration(frequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω)) at the position of the sensor 110 ismeasured beforehand, in the case where the ball 14 collides with each ofthe positions P_(m) on the racket 12 (an input signal of the frequencyspectrum X(jω) close to the impulse signal is given). The frequencyspectrum Y_(m)(jω) is stored in the database 208 along with a labelshowing the position P_(m), for example. As mentioned above, it ispossible for the frequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) to have characteristicsclose to those of the transfer function H_(m)(jω), and to be consideredto be a signal showing a natural frequency part of the racket 12.

In the above steps S209 to S211, the identification section 206classifies the frequency spectrum Y^(C)(jω) of the vibration data, whenthe ball 14 actually collides, into any of the positions P_(m), by usingthe frequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) as “teacher data” of machine learningfor each of the positions P_(m) stored in the database 208. In order forthe frequency spectrum Y_(m)(jω) such as above to be used as “teacherdata”, a plurality of measurements (samples), for example, several tensof measurements, for each position P_(m) may each be stored in thedatabase 208. By using machine learning, there is an advantage, forexample, in that the robustness for the dispersion of the frequencyspectrum increases, and the identification rate improves.

In this way in the second process example, the collision position of theball 14 on the racket 12 is identified by “setting an output signal ofeach position prepared as a sample as teacher data, and classifying anactual output signal”.

(1-6. Display Example of the Results)

Next, a display example of the results of the collision positionidentification in the first embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a figure showinga first example of a results display in the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 14 is a figure showing a second example of aresults display in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an example will be described, in the case where the resultsof the collision position identification is output to the displaysection as a display in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.As described above, the results of the collision position identificationmay be output according to a visual presentation to a user by a displayof a display screen, or according to the presentation of information byvoice or the presentation of information by vibration. Such methods ofoutput themselves are known, and the content may be analogized from thefollowing description. Therefore, the following description does notlimit the output of the results of the collision position identificationto an output by a display.

In the example of FIG. 13, the position estimated to be where the ball14 collides with is displayed by being mapped on an image of the racket12. As described in the above process examples, in the first embodimentof the present disclosure, the collision position of the ball 14 isidentified according to an estimation of which position is closest tothe collision position from within the positions included in a positiongroup set beforehand on the racket 12. Therefore, there are cases wherea plurality of positions, such as “a position estimated to be thenearest”, “a position estimated to be the second nearest”, “a positionestimated to be the third nearest”, and the like, are extracted as thecollision position. In this case, the plurality of positions may beextracted along with the probabilities that these positions are thecollision position.

In the example shown in the figure, seven positions on the racket 12estimated to be the collision position of the ball 14 are displayedalong with symbols showing an order of the highest probability that theposition is the collision position. The position indicated by “T” is theposition with the highest probability that it is the collision position,and “2” is the position with the next highest probability that it is thecollision position, and this continues in a similar manner for “3”, “4”. . . “7”. In this way, the user can intuitively understand thecollision position by presenting the collision position to the user as amap.

In the example of FIG. 14, the position and data with a high probabilitythat it is the collision position of the ball 14 is displayed as a list.For example, as shown in the above second process example, in the casewhere a plurality of sample data are prepared beforehand for thepositions on the racket 12, the collision position can be estimated byshowing that the vibrations by the actual collision of the ball 14 areclose to vibrations of “which position” or “which sample”. In this case,as in the example shown in the figure, the results of a sample unit maybe presented to the user as a list as it is. For example, sample “37-3”shows the “third sample of position 37” in the figure.

Further, a prescribed number of samples closest to the actual vibrationsmay be extracted, according to a k-NN algorithm (k-Nearest Neighboralgorithm), for example, and may specify the positions to which theseextracted samples belong the most as the collision position. In theexample shown in the figure, in the case where the collision position isspecified according to a k-NN algorithm (k=7), for example, the position37, to which the fourth sample belongs from among the seven samples, isspecified as the collision position. Further, a general SVM (SupportVector Machine) method may be used in the machine learning.

For example, as another display example of the results of the collisionposition identification, the probability distribution to which thecollision position exists may be displayed as a contour line or the likeon the racket 12.

(2. Second Embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 15 to 24. In this embodiment, a sensor device isinstalled in a variety of objects and an analyzing device identifies aposition at which a user's finger (second object), for example, touchesthe object (first object).

(2-1. Entire Configuration)

The entire configuration of the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is afigure showing an entire configuration of the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15, in the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure, there is provided a system 20 including a sensor device 300mounted on a table 22 and an analyzing device 200 that communicates withthe sensor device 300.

Here, the table 22 is an example of an object that vibrates owing to auser's tap with a finger (collision with the user's finger). In thefollowing description, the description will be given by taking the table22 as an example of the object (first object); however, the example ofthe object is not limited to this. As described later, based onvibrations when the user taps the object with a finger, the position onthe object at which the user's finger touches is identified. Therefore,this embodiment can be applied to any object as long as the objectvibrates with the user's tap. The touching subject (second object) isnot limited to the user's finger either, and may be a stylus, a pointer,and the like.

The sensor device 300 is disposed on the table 22, detects vibrationswhen the user taps a surface of the table 22, and transmits thedetection results to the analyzing device 200 as vibration data. Theanalyzing device 200 analyzes the vibration data received from thesensor device 300 and identifies the position on the table 22 at whichthe user taps with the finger. Note that, for simplicity, the positionon the table 22 at which the user taps with the finger is also simplycalled a touch position. The results of identification by the analyzingdevice 200 may be used to select a command that is executed by theanalyzing device 200 itself or a device connected to the analyzingdevice 200.

In the example shown in the figure, characters “A” to “F” are displayedon the table 22. This display may be directly printed on the table 22,written by hand, pasted as stickers, projected, or imprinted, forexample. Alternatively, plates shaped as the characters may be disposedon the table 22. In this example, information related to the position ofthe respective characters displayed on the table 22 is provided to theanalyzing device 200 beforehand and stored in memory, for example.Therefore, the analyzing device 200 can identify the touch position onthe table 22 and also specify the character that is displayed at aposition close to the touch position. Thus, the user can use the system20 as a character input device by tapping the position corresponding toeach character on the table 22. Note that, for simplicity, only sixcharacters are displayed on the table 22 in the figure; however, inreality, more alphabetical characters or numbers constituting akeyboard, for example, may be displayed.

Note that another sensor or an information acquisition means may beadded to the system 20 and information obtained from the sensor or theinformation acquisition means may be combined with the informationobtained from the sensor device 300 and the analyzing device 200,thereby acquiring a variety of operation input by the user.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the sensor device 300 will bedescribed in detail. Note that the configuration of the analyzing device200 and an example of the theory and a process of identifying the touchposition of the object are the same as those in the first embodiment,and therefore a detailed description thereof is omitted.

(2-23 Configuration of the Sensor Device)

Next, the configuration of the sensor device according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a figure showing an example of the configuration ofthe sensor device according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16, the sensor device 300 includes the sensor 110, thecircuit section 120, and a weight section 342. Note that the sensor 110and the circuit section 120 are the same structural elements as those inthe sensor device 100 in the first embodiment. The circuit section 120can include the amplifier 122, the communication section 124, thecontrol section 126, and the memory 128 (none is shown in the figure).

The sensor 110 is a sensor that outputs vibration data by detectingvibrations of the table 22. In the example shown in the figure, thesensor device 300 is closely attached to the table 22 by the weight ofthe weight section 342. Therefore, the sensor 110 included in the sensordevice 300 is held in a state where the vibrations in the table 22 aretransmitted. The sensor 110 may be closely attached to the table 22 bybeing disposed to be embedded in the weight section 342 as shown in thefigure so as to detect directly the vibrations in the table 22, forexample. Alternatively, the sensor 110 may be closely attached to thetop surface of the weight section 342, for example, to detect indirectlythe vibrations in the table 22 transmitted from the weight section 342.

The amplifier 122, the communication section 124, the control section126, and the memory 128 included in the circuit section 120 have thesame functions as those in the first embodiment, respectively. That is,the vibration data detected by the sensor 110 is amplified by theamplifier 122 as necessary and transmitted to the analyzing device 200by the communication section 124. The control section 126 controls eachsection in the sensor device 300. Further, the memory 128 temporarily orpermanently stores a variety of data used for the operation of thesensor device 300.

Note that in the example shown in the figure, the sensor device 300 doesnot include an output section; however, a configuration including theoutput section is also possible. In this case, the output section canhave the same function as the output section 130 of the sensor device100 in the first embodiment. Information output from the output section130 can be, for example, information related to the analysis resultsthat the communication section 124 has received from the analyzingdevice 200. The information related to the analysis results can be, forexample, information indicating which character on the table 22 the userhas tapped. Alternatively, the information related to the analysisresults may be information indicating whether or not the analysis on thetouch position has been successful, that is, whether or not the input ofcharacter information by the user's tap has been successful. Theinformation can be output according to visual information, voiceinformation, vibrations, or the like.

(2-3. Process Example)

Next, a process example in the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19. FIG. 17is a figure schematically showing a process in the second embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a first examplein the process in the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.19 is a flowchart showing a second example in the process in the secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, in this embodiment, vibrations when the user tapsa position 24 on the table 22 with a finger or the like are detected bythe sensor device 300 and vibration data are transmitted to theanalyzing device 200. The analyzing device 200 identifies the position24 as the touch position of the user through the processes describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 to 12 in the first embodiment, for example,and specifies a character 26 located near the position 24 as a characterthat the user inputs by tapping the table 22. Based on the results, theanalyzing device 200 may display the character 26 (“C” in this case) ona display section of the analyzing device 200.

This process will be described in more detail in accordance with thisembodiment. The positions on the table 22 are defined beforehand atpredetermined intervals, and a position group composed of the positionsis treated as a candidate for the touch position. For example, theposition group may be disposed on the top surface of the table 22 atequal intervals vertically and laterally. Further, at least a part ofthe position group corresponds to characters displayed on the table 22.Information on the position group and the characters corresponding tothe positions included in the position group can be stored beforehand inthe memory 210 of the analyzing device 200, for example.

For example, as shown in the figure, in the case where the sixcharacters “A” to “F” are displayed, the respective positionsconstituting the position group may correspond to the respectivecharacters “A” to “F”. In this case, for example, the top surface of thetable 22 may be sectioned to six regions in accordance with thepositions of the characters “A” to “F”, and positions included in therespective regions may correspond to the respective characters.Alternatively, positions within a predetermined distance from the centerof each of the characters may correspond to each of the characters andthe rest of the positions may not correspond to the characters. In thiscase, the user's tap on the position that is not able to correspond tothe characters may be identified as an invalid input or an input of aspace, for example, other than the displayed characters.

Note that, as described above, the characters displayed on the table 22are not limited to the six characters; more characters, numbers, orsymbols may be displayed and positions on the table 22 which correspondto these may be defined beforehand. Further, the place where thepositions are defined beforehand is not limited to the top surface ofthe table 22, and positions may be defined on a side surface or a bottomsurface of the table 22, or a leg portion thereof, for example.

For each of the positions that are defined beforehand in the abovemanner, vibrations detected by the sensor device 300 in the case where atap with a user's finger or the like is given as an input signal aremeasured beforehand. Further, based on the vibrations measured here, atransmission function for each position is calculated. The analyzingdevice 200 identifies the touch position on the table 22 based on thevibration data received from the sensor device 300 by using thetransmission function that is calculated beforehand in this manner.Further, the analyzing device 200 specifies a command to input thecharacter corresponding to the position that is identified as the touchposition as a command to execute, for example. By executing this commandin the analyzing device itself or transmitting this command to anexternal device through the communication section 202, it is possible torealize the input of the character with the user's tap on the characterdisplayed on the table 22.

First, in the case where the input is performed by the tap with theuser's finger, for example, and the input signal has characteristicsdifferent from those of the impulse signal, the identification of thetouch position may be performed by the process in the first processexample described with reference to FIG. 11 in the first embodiment.Second, in the case where the input is performed by the tap with astylus or a pointer, for example, and the input signal hascharacteristics similar to those of the impulse signal, the process inthe second process example described with reference to FIG. 12 in thefirst embodiment may be performed.

(First Example)

In a first example shown FIG. 18, the identification section 206 of theanalyzing device 200 identifies the touch position (step S301) and thendetermines whether or not the touch position corresponds to a commandthat has been registered beforehand (step S303). For example, in theexample shown in FIG. 17, the determination here can be thedetermination whether or not a character or the like that corresponds tothe touch position exists. Here, in the case where the charactercorresponding to the touch position exists, the touch positioncorresponds to a command to “input a character”. Further, as describedabove, in the case where a touch on a region that is away from any ofthe characters is identified as an input of a space or the like, theposition included in the region corresponds to a command to “input aspace”, for example.

In step S303, in the case where the identified touch positioncorresponds to the command, the identification section 206 executes thecommand (step S305). The execution of the command here can include avariety of operations without limitation to an input of a character. Forexample, the identification section 206 may execute a command to outputinformation from the output section 212. Alternatively, theidentification section 206 may transmit the command to an externaldevice through the communication section 202 instead of executing thecommand in the identification section 206. For example, in the exampleof the input of the character shown in FIG. 17, the command of the inputof the character may be transmitted to another device such as a PC fromthe communication section 202.

(Second Example)

In a second example shown in FIG. 19, the identification section 206 ofthe analyzing device 200 identifies the touch position (step S401), andthen identifies whether or not there is a consecutive touch (step S403).In the case where there is a consecutive touch, the identificationsection 206 also identifies the touch position of the consecutive touch(step S401).

In the case where it is determined in step S403 that there is noconsecutive touch, that is, a series of touches is completed, theidentification section 206 determines whether or not a series of touchpositions corresponds to a command that has been registered beforehand(step S405). For example, in the example of the input of the charactershown in FIG. 17, a command may correspond to a character stringindicated by the series of touch positions, for example, in the order of“F”, “E”, “E”, and “D”. Further, even in the case where characters arenot displayed on the table 22, for example, a command may correspond to“taps on a specific position predetermined number of times”.

In step S405, in the case where the series of touch positions correspondto a command, the identification section 206 executes the command (steps407). Here again, in a manner similar to that of the first example, theanalyzing device 200 itself may execute the command by using the outputsection 212 or the like, or the command may be transmitted to anexternal device through the communication section 202.

(2-4. Modification Example)

Next, modification examples of the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 24. FIG. 20is a figure showing a first modification example in the secondembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 is a figure showing asecond modification example in the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 22 is a figure showing a third modification example inthe second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 23 is a figureshowing a fourth modification example in the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 24 is a figure showing a fifth modificationexample in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the first modification example shown in FIG. 20, the sensor device300 is mounted on a grip portion of a frying pan 28. The sensor device300 includes a magnet instead of the weight section 342 in the exampleof FIG. 16, for example, and the magnet is attached to the grip portionof the frying pan 28 made of a magnetic material such as metal, therebyholding the sensor 110 in a state where vibrations in the frying pan 28are transmitted. For example, a certain command (e.g., operation of a PCinstalled in the kitchen or operation of cooking equipment such as thegas stove) may be registered to correspond to each section of the fryingpan 28, so that a user can cause a device or equipment to execute thedesired command without being bothered by filthy hands while working, bytapping the position corresponding to the command with a finer, acooking tool, or the like. A similar configuration can be applied toanother cooking tool such as a knife or a cutting board, a tool such asa wrench or a hammer, and the like.

In the second modification example shown in FIG. 21, the sensor device300 is mounted on a rod portion of a golf club 30. The sensor device 300has a rubber band instead of the weight section 342 in the example ofFIG. 16, for example, and the rubber band is wound around the rodportion of the golf club 30, thereby holding the sensor 110 in a statewhere vibrations in the golf club 30 are transmitted. Alternatively, thesensor device 300 may include a clip instead of the weight portion 342,and the clip may pinch the rod portion of the golf club 30. By using therubber band or the clip in this manner, the sensor 300 can be mountedstably on an object in which vibrations are strong.

In the present modification example, for example, a certain command(e.g., operation of equipment in a golf practice range or operation of arecording device that records a user to play) may be registered tocorrespond to each section of the golf club 30, so that a user can causea device or equipment to execute the desired command without stoppingthe play by tapping the position corresponding to the command with afinger or the like. Thereby, the user can also start recording a videoor execute an operation of adding meta information, for example, duringthe play. Further, as in the first embodiment, it is also possible toidentify the position a ball has collided with, from vibrations detectedby the sensor device 300, by using a head portion of the golf club 30.

Further, the above two kinds of functions may be combined with eachother. For example, in the case where a ball is hit by the head portionof the golf club 30, the position the ball has collided with may bedetected, and in other cases, for example, in the case where the rod ora grip is tapped, a predetermined command may be executed. In this case,according to the position, vibrations detected by the sensor device 300are measured beforehand in the case where either or both of two kinds ofinput signals, which are collision of a ball and a tap by a user, forexample, is given. The configuration of the present modification examplecan be applied to, without limitation to the golf club 30, the racket 12described in the first embodiment or a striking tool used for all othertypes of sports.

In the third modification example shown in FIG. 22, the sensor device300 is attached to a door 34 of a safe 32 by using a bolt or anadhesive, for example. The bolt, adhesive, and the like make the sensordevice 300 closely attached to the door 34, thereby holding the sensor110 in a state where vibrations in the door 34 are transmitted. Forexample, a predetermined pattern can be formed by the position orfrequency of taps on the door 43, and a command to unlock/lock a lock 36of the safe 32 can be registered to correspond to the pattern, so that auser can unlock/lock the safe 32 by tapping the door 34. Note that inthe case where the door 34 is closed and is closely attached to a mainbody of the safe 32 and the door 34 and the main body vibrate together,the sensor device 300 may be attached to the main body of the safe 32.

Thus, it is unnecessary to dispose a switch, dial, or the like on thesurface of the door 34, and even in the case where the outside of thesafe 32 becomes extremely high temperatures, for example, the entry ofheat to the inside can be prevented. The same advantage can be obtainedin the case where the sensor device 300 is attached to a surface of adoor of a space ship or a submarine, for example. This is because it ispreferable that components arranged on the surface of the door that willbe exposed to a cruel environment, such as high temperatures, lowtemperatures, high pressures, and low pressures, be a few. Further, aphysical key is not exposed on the surface of the door, so that itbecomes quite difficult to break the key, which increases the security.From this point of view, it is also useful to attach the sensor device300 to a door of a residence or the like and to register a command tounlock to correspond to a pattern of tapping the door.

In the fourth modification example shown in FIG. 23, the sensor device300 is attached to a glass portion 40 of a glass window 38 by using anadhesive or a sucker, for example. The adhesive, sucker, and the likemake the sensor device 300 closely attached to the glass portion 40,thereby holding the sensor 110 in a state where vibrations in the glassportion 40 are transmitted. For example, a predetermined pattern can beformed by the position or frequency of taps on the glass portion 40, anda command to unlock/lock a lock 42 of the glass window 38 can beregistered to correspond to the pattern, so that a user can unlock/lockthe glass window 38 by tapping the glass portion 40. Note that in thecase where the glass portion 40 and a peripheral window frame portionvibrate together, the sensor device 300 may be attached to the windowframe portion.

Thus, it is possible to identify the touch position on the glass portion40 of a user and to execute the command corresponding to the identifiedtouch position while the transparency of the glass portion 40 issecured. The same function can be realized by disposing a touch panelincluding a transparent electrode in the glass portion 40 or bydisposing a plurality of sensors on the periphery of the glass portion40, for example. However, according to the present modification example,since the touch position can be detected by disposing the single sensordevice 300 on the glass portion 40 or the like, the above function canbe realized with a simple device configuration at low cost. Note thatthe same configuration can be applied to the case where a surface thatis required to be transparent is used as an input section in a givendevice such as a television, for example. In the case of a television,for example, it is possible to execute a variety of commands such asselection of channels and adjustment of volume by tapping a givenposition on a screen.

In the fifth example shown in FIG. 24, the sensor device 300 is attachedto a table tennis table 44 by using an adhesive, bolt, sucker, or thelike, for example. The adhesive, bolt, sucker, or the like makes thesensor device 300 closely attached to the table tennis table 44, therebyholding the sensor 110 in a state where vibrations in the table tennistable 44 are transmitted. For example, by measuring vibrationsbeforehand that are detected by the sensor device 300 in the case wherea ball of table tennis falls into a position within each court, it ispossible to identify which court a ball has fallen into in a match oftable tennis played with the table tennis table 44. In this case, forexample, by setting a command to add a point to one team in the casewhere the ball falls into a court of the other team, it is possible toautomatically calculate the points in a match of table tennis.

A variety of modification examples other than the above examplesdescribed with reference to the figures are possible in this embodiment.For example, it is relatively common to attach a microphone on an outerside of a body of a woodwind such as a classic guitar or a violin;however, it is difficult to embed an electric component such as a buttonor a knob because the body would be wounded. Thus, by attaching thesensor device 300 to a surface of the body by using a clip or the likeand setting beforehand a variety of commands corresponding to thepositions on the body a user taps, it is possible to adjust the volumeor sound quality or to output additional sound during the play withoutwounding the body.

Further, for example, in the case where a dance game or the like isplayed at home, it has been necessary to spread a dedicated sheetincorporating buttons to play the game thereon. However, if the sensordevice 300 is installed on the floor and the positions of steps of aplayer are determined on the basis of the position of the sensor device300, it becomes possible to play such a game without spreading thededicated sheet.

Further, for example, an acceleration sensor that is loaded in a varietyof electronic devices such as smartphones can acquire the vibration datain the same manner as the sensor 110 in the sensor device 300 byincreasing the sampling frequency. With this, it is possible to identifythe position on a surface of a smartphone at which a user taps, and inthe case where a pattern of the position, frequency, and the like oftaps corresponds to a predetermined pattern, the smartphone can beunlocked. In this case, the smartphone corresponds to a device that hasboth functions of the sensor device and the analyzing device in thisembodiment.

Further, for example, the sensor device 300 may be mounted on an objectsuch as a natural stone or a block of wood, and vibrations generatedwhen a user taps a predetermined position the object may be used asinformation that corresponds to a certain key. Since each object hasinherent vibration characteristics, by using the vibrationcharacteristics as a part of information that corresponds to the key, itbecomes difficult to copy the key, which will increase the security.

As described above, the vibration characteristics are inherent in eachobject. Therefore, if there are objects having substantially the samestructure, the vibration characteristics thereof are substantially thesame. Accordingly, in the case where, for example, the structure of anobject (first object) on which the sensor device 300 is to be mounted isknown because it is a standardized industrial product or the like andthe sensor device 300 is to be mounted on a specified positionbeforehand, the vibration characteristics of the object can be given asknown data by using data measured by mounting the sensor device 300 onthe same position of the same product, for example. In this manner, itis possible to omit a procedure of calibration in which vibrations inthe case where a user touches each position after the sensor device 300is mounted on the object are measured.

In this case, the object may be specified by an input of a model number,for example, or may be specified by object recognition based on an imagecaptured by a camera incorporated in an HMD (Head Mounted Display) orthe like. In the case where the object is specified by the objectrecognition, when the sensor device 300 is in the image, it is alsopossible to specify the mounting position of the sensor device 300.

(3. Third Embodiment)

Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Inthe first embodiment and the second embodiment, examples in which atouch subject (second object) touches an object (first object) thatstands still and on which a sensor device is mounted have beendescribed. In this case, the “touch” of the second object to the firstobject generates vibrations in the first object, that is, “collision”.However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the“collision” of the second object with the first object in this manner,and can be applied to a case where a more general “touch” is performed.

In this embodiment, the first object vibrates with a predeterminedvibration pattern. These vibrations are weak vibrations applied with astationary pattern, for example, and can be applied by an excitationsection such as a vibrator included in a sensor device. The vibrationswith the predetermined vibration pattern in the first object are a kindof white noise. The sensor device provided for the first object detectshow the vibrations with the predetermined vibration pattern are changedby a touch of the second object.

Since the transmission function of vibration differs depending on theposition of an object, in the case where another object (second object)touches any of positions on a vibrating object (first object), changesin vibration states in the object differ depending on the touchposition. By using this nature, by making the first object vibrate, evenin the case where the touch of the second object is soft, the touchposition can be detected.

In this embodiment, the second object may not be separated from thefirst object by bouncing back after touching the first object and maykeep the touched state. When the second object moves while keeping thetouched state with the first object, if the change in the vibrationstate of the first object by the touch of the second object iscalculated in chronological order, operation information such as aso-called drag operation can be acquired.

Further, if there is a time lag between two touches (first/secondtouches), by comparing vibration states of the object before and afterthe first touch and further comparing vibration states of the objectbefore and after the second touch, the two touch positions can each bedetected. Thus, it becomes possible to acquire operation informationsuch as pinch-in/out.

(4. Fourth Embodiment)

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.In this embodiment, the second object vibrates with a predeterminedvibration pattern. These vibrations are, similarly to the vibrations inthe first object in the third embodiment above, weak vibrations appliedwith a stationary pattern, for example. For example, if the secondobject is a tool such as a stylus, by incorporating a vibrator or thelike in the tool, vibrations can be applied. Further, for example, ifthe second object is a user's finger, a user wears a tool in a form of awristwatch, and a vibrator or the like incorporated therein appliesvibrations.

In the case where the second object is vibrating, even in the case wherethe second object touches the first object softly, vibrations aregenerated in the first object. Since the transmission function ofvibration differ depending on the position of an object, in the casewhere, for example, a vibrating user's finger or the like (secondobject) touches a position of a still object (first object), the changein vibrations in a process of transmission by the sensor device 300differs depending on the touch position. By using this nature, by makingthe vibrating second object touch the first object, even in the casewhere the second object touches the first object softly, the touchposition can be detected. Note that in this embodiment, in a mannersimilar to that in the third embodiment above, it is also possible toacquire operation information such as a drag operation and pinch-in/out.

Further, in the case where the vibrations in the second object arevibrations with an inherent pattern, in addition to the touch position,this vibration pattern itself can correspond to a command. For example,in the case of the example of the safe 32 described with reference toFIG. 22, application of vibrations with a predetermined pattern to apredetermined position on the door 34 can correspond to a command tounlock. In this case, vibrations with the predetermined pattern can be,for example, generated by a vibrator that is made as a key to the safe32. This vibrator may directly touch the door 34 or a user's fingerwearing this vibrator (in a form of a wristwatch, for example) may touchthe door 34.

(5. Supplement)

(Hardware Configuration)

A hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus 900,which realize the analyzing device 200 according to each of theabove-described embodiments of the present disclosure, will be describedby referring to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a block diagram for describing ahardware configuration of an information processing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus 900 includes a CPU 901, ROM 903,and RAM 905. In addition, the information processing apparatus 900 mayinclude a host bus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface913, an input device 915, an output device 917, a storage device 919, adrive 921, a connection port 923, and a communication device 925.

The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processing apparatus and acontrol apparatus, and controls all or part of the operations within theinformation processing apparatus 900, according to various programsstored in the ROM 903, the RAM 905, the storage device 919, or aremovable recording medium 927. The ROM 903 stores programs andarithmetic parameters used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 primarily storesprograms used for the execution of the CPU 901 and parameters modifiedfor these executions as appropriate. The CPU 901, the ROM 903, and theRAM 905 are mutually connected by the host bus 907, which is configuredby an internal bus such as a CPU bus. In addition, the host bus 907 isconnected to the external bus 911, which is a PCI (Peripheral ComponentInterconnect/Interface) bus or the like, through the bridge 909.

The input device 915 is, for example, an apparatus which is operated bythe user, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, button, switch, lever,or the like. The input device 915, for example, may be a remotecontrolled apparatus which uses infrared rays or other electronic waves,and may be an external connection device 929, such as a mobile phone,corresponding to the operations of the information processing apparatus900. The input device 915 includes an input control circuit whichgenerates an input signal based on information input by the user, andoutputs the input signal to the CPU 901. The user inputs various dataand instructs the process operations for the information processingapparatus 900, by operating this input device 915

The output device 917 includes an apparatus that can notify the acquiredinformation visually or orally to the user. The output device 917, forexample, may be a display device such as an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or an organic EL(Electro-Luminescence) display, may be a voice output apparatus such asspeakers or headphones, or may be a printer apparatus. The output device917 may output the results obtained by the information processingapparatus 900 as an image, such as text or a picture, or may output theresults as a sound such as a voice or noise.

The storage device 919 is an apparatus for data storage which isincluded as an example of a storage section of the informationprocessing apparatus 900. The storage device 919, for example, includesa magnetic storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), asemiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, or amagneto-optical storage device. The storage device 919 stores programsand various data executed by the CPU 901, and various data obtained fromthe outside.

The drive 921 is a reader/writer for the removable recording medium 927,such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or asemiconductor memory, and is built into the information processingapparatus 900 or is externally attached. The drive 921 reads outinformation recorded in the mounted removable recording medium 927, andoutputs the information to the RAM 905. Further, the drive 921 writes arecord onto the mounted removable recording medium 927.

The connection port 923 is a port for connecting equipment directly tothe information processing apparatus 900. The connection port 923, forexample, may be a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, an IEEE 1394 port, anSCSI (Small Computer System Interface) port, or the like. Further, theconnection port 923 may be an RS-232C port, an optical audio terminal,an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, or the like.Various data may be exchanged between the information processingapparatus 900 and the external connection device 929, by connecting theexternal connection device 929 to the connection port 923.

The communication device 925, for example, is a communication interfaceconfigured by a communication device or the like for connecting to acommunication network 931. The communication device 925, for example,may be a communication card for wired or wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB (Wireless USB).Further, the communication device 925 may be a router for opticalcommunication, a router for an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital SubscriberLine), or a modem for various types of communication. The communicationdevice 925, for example, sends and receives signals or the like usingthe Internet or a prescribed protocol such as TCP/IP, with othercommunication devices. Further, the communication network 931 connectedto the communication device 925 is a network connected by wires orwirelessly, and for example is the Internet, a home LAN, infraredcommunications, radio wave communications, or satellite communications.

Heretofore, an example of a hardware configuration of the informationprocessing apparatus 900 has been shown. Each of the above structuralelements may be configured by using general purpose members, and may beconfigured by hardware specialized in the functions of each structuralelement. Such a configuration may be modified as appropriate accordingto the technology level of the time when it is performed.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the presentdisclosure is not limited to the above examples. A person skilled in theart may find various alterations and modifications within the scope ofthe appended claims, and it should be understood that they willnaturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1) A sensor device including:

a sensor configured to output a vibration datum by detecting a change ina state of a vibration in a first object when a second object touchesthe first object;

a holding section configured to hold, at a portion of the first objectwhich is different from a portion where the second object touches, thesensor in a state where the vibration in the first object istransmitted; and

a communication section configured to transmit the single vibrationdatum detected by the sensor to an analyzing device which identifies atouch position where the second object touches the first object byanalyzing the vibration datum.

(2) The sensor device according to (1),

wherein the sensor outputs the vibration datum by detecting thevibration generated in the first object when the second object collideswith the first object.

(3) The sensor device according to (2),

wherein the first object is a striking tool, and

wherein the second object is a hit object which collides with thestriking tool.

(4) The sensor device according to (1),

wherein the sensor outputs the vibration datum by detecting the changein the state of the vibration in the first object, the change beinggenerated by a touch of the second object to the first object whichvibrates with a predetermined pattern.

(5) The sensor device according to (4), further including:

an excitation section configured to add a vibration with thepredetermined vibration pattern to the first object.

(6) The sensor device according to any one of (1) to (5), furtherincluding:

an output section configured to present information to a user,

wherein the communication section receives information related to thetouch position from the analyzing device, and

wherein the output section presents the information related to the touchposition to the user.

(7) An analyzing device including:

a communication section configured to receive a single vibration datumobtained by detection of a change in a state of a vibration in a firstobject when a second object touches the first object, the detectionbeing performed by a sensor held at a portion of the first object whichis different from a portion where the second object touches, in a statewhere the vibration in the first object is transmitted; and

an identification section configured to identify a touch position wherethe second object touches the first object by comparing a vibrationcharacteristic of the vibration datum and a vibration characteristic foreach position of the first object where the second object touches.

(8) The analyzing device according to (7),

wherein the communication section receives the vibration datum obtainedby detection of, performed by the sensor, the vibration generated in thefirst object when the second object collides with the first object, and

wherein the identification section identifies a collision position wherethe second object collides with the first object.

(9) The analyzing device according to (8),

wherein the first object is a striking tool, and

wherein the second object is a hit object which collides with thestriking tool.

(10) The analyzing device according to (9), further including:

an output section which presents information related to the collisionposition to a user.

(11) The analyzing device according to (10),

wherein the output section presents a list which shows positions in anorder of a highest probability that a position is the collision positionto the user.

(12) The analyzing device according to (10),

wherein the output section presents a map which shows the collisionposition to the user.

(13) The analyzing device according to any one of (9) to (12),

wherein the sensor is mounted on either a front surface or a rearsurface of the striking tool which has the front surface and the rearsurface, and

wherein the identification section identifies whether the collisionposition was on the front surface or the rear surface of the strikingtool.

(14) The analyzing device according to any one of (9) to (13),

wherein the sensor is mounted on either a left side or a right side ofthe striking tool which has a laterally symmetrical shape, and

wherein the identification section identifies whether the collisionposition was on the left side or the right side of the striking tool.

(15) The analyzing device according to (7),

wherein the communication section receives the vibration datum obtainedby the detection of, performed by the sensor, the change in thevibration state in the first object, which is generated by a touch ofthe second object to the first object which vibrates with apredetermined vibration pattern.

(16) The analyzing device according to any one of (7) to (15), furtherincluding:

a storage section configured to store a vibration characteristic foreach position in a position group set in a portion of the first objectwhere the second object touches,

wherein the identification section identifies the touch position as oneor a plurality of positions in the position group.

(17) The analyzing device according to (16),

wherein the storage section stores a command corresponding to at least apart of the position in the position group, and

wherein the identification section specifies the command correspondingto the identified touch position.

(18) The analyzing device according to (17),

wherein the communication section transmits the specified command to anexternal device.

(19) The analyzing device according to (16),

wherein the storage section stores a command corresponding to a patternof combination of predetermined positions in the position group, and

wherein the identification section specifies the command correspondingto the pattern including the identified touch position.

(20) A recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the programcausing a computer to execute:

a function of receiving a single vibration datum obtained by detectionof a change in a state of a vibration in a first object when a secondobject touches the first object, the detection being performed by asensor held at a portion of the first object which is different from aportion where the second object touches, in a state where the vibrationin the first object is transmitted; and

a function of identifying a touch position where the second objecttouches the first object by comparing a vibration characteristic of thevibration datum and a vibration characteristic for each position of thefirst object where the second object touches.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10, 20 system-   12 racket-   12 s shaft part-   12 g grip part-   14 ball-   22 table-   28 frying pan-   30 golf club-   32 safe-   38 glass window-   44 table tennis table-   100, 300 sensor device-   110 sensor-   120 circuit section-   122 amplifier-   124 communication section-   126 control section-   128 memory-   130 output section-   142 belt-   144 casing-   200 analyzing device-   202 communication section-   204 analyzing section-   206 identification section-   208 database-   210 memory-   212 output section-   342 weight section

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sensor device comprising: a sensorconfigured to output vibration data by detecting a change in a state ofa vibration in a first object when a second object touches the firstobject; and circuitry configured to transmit the vibration data detectedby the sensor to circuitry of an information processing apparatusconfigured to determine a touch position where the second object touchesthe first object by analyzing the vibration data, determine a commandcorresponding to the touch position, and perform a process according tothe command, wherein the sensor is attached, at a portion of the firstobject which is different from a portion where the second objecttouches, in a state where the vibration in the first object istransmitted, wherein the command is determined at least in part from thetouch position, and wherein analyzing the vibration data to determinethe touch position comprises using a learning result of a frequencyspectrum of the vibration data.
 2. The sensor device according to claim1, wherein the circuitry of the information processing apparatus isconfigured to transmit the command to an external device, and whereinthe external device is configured to perform the command.
 3. The sensordevice of claim 1, wherein analyzing the vibration data to determine thetouch position comprises calculating the difference between a storedfrequency spectrum associated with a known position on the first objectand a detected frequency spectrum of the vibration data.
 4. Aninformation processing apparatus comprising: processing circuitryconfigured to receive vibration data obtained by detecting a change in astate of a vibration in a first object when a second object touches thefirst object, the detection being performed by a sensor, attached to aportion of the first object which is different from a portion where thesecond object touches, in a state where the vibration in the firstobject is transmitted; determine a touch position where the secondobject touches the first object by analyzing the vibration data;determine a command corresponding to the touch position, wherein thecommand is determined at least in part from the touch position; andperform a process according to the command, wherein analyzing thevibration data to determine the touch position comprises using alearning result of a frequency spectrum of the vibration data.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein theprocessing circuitry is further configured to transmit the command to anexternal device, wherein the external device is configured to performthe command.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim4, wherein the command comprises specifying a character corresponding tothe touch position.
 7. The information processing apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the first object vibrates in response to a user tapwith a finger on the first object.
 8. The information processingapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second object includes auser finger, a stylus, or a pointer.
 9. The information processingapparatus of claim 4, wherein analyzing the vibration data to determinethe touch position comprises calculating the difference between a storedfrequency spectrum associated with a known position on the first objectand a detected frequency spectrum of the vibration data.
 10. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein thecircuitry is further configured to recognize a series of touches on thefirst object based on the vibration data and determine a series of touchpositions corresponding to the recognized series of touches.
 11. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thecircuitry is further configured to determine a second commandcorresponding to the series of touch positions.
 12. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions thereon,the computer-readable instructions when executed by a computer cause thecomputer to perform a method comprising: receiving vibration dataobtained by detecting a change in a state of a vibration in a firstobject when a second object touches the first object, the detectionbeing performed by a sensor, attached to a portion of the first objectwhich is different from a portion where the second object touches, in astate where the vibration in the first object is transmitted;determining a touch position where the second object touches the firstobject by analyzing the vibration data; determining a commandcorresponding to the touch position, wherein the command is determinedat least in part from the touch position; and performing a processaccording to the command, wherein analyzing the vibration data todetermine the touch position comprises using a learning result of afrequency spectrum of the vibration data.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 12, further comprising:transmitting the command to an external device, wherein the externaldevice is configured to perform the command.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein analyzing thevibration data to determine the touch position comprises calculating thedifference between a stored frequency spectrum associated with a knownposition on the first object and a detected frequency spectrum of thevibration data.